South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and S.C. Commerce staff, led by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ashely Teasdel, welcomed British Ambassador to the U.S. Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, to Columbia, S.C., to further economic development and trade relation discussions.

In mid-July, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ashely Teasdel and S.C. Commerce led a state delegation throughout the United Kingdom. The mission trip helped grow bilateral collaboration, strengthen economic ties and build trade relations — continuing to advance the December 2022 memorandum of understanding between the two economies.

South Carolina was proud to join the Southeast United States-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Alliance at the 2024 SEUS-CP Conference, an annual event with the focus of growing economic opportunities between the member regions. Hosted in Biloxi, Mississippi, state and provincial representatives gathered for three days of networking and pivotal industry discussions, including advanced manufacturing technologies and the changing landscapes of ports.

For over three decades, BMW has given South Carolina plenty to celebrate and Friday, June 21, 2024 — just days before the company’s 32nd anniversary of its initial investment announcement in the state — the German automaker delivered again.

Tag der Industrie (TDI), also known as the “Day of German Industry,” is Germany’s most prominent celebration and gathering of the European nation's industry leaders, business executives and economic policymakers. 

Hosted by the Bundesverband der Deutchen Industrie (BDI), or Federation of German Industry, June 24-26, 2024, in Berlin, South Carolina was featured prominently at this year’s event. Governor Henry McMaster presented a keynote address in addition to participating in a panel discussion on the importance of maintaining transatlantic partnerships

South Carolina’s business success stories are not limited to global manufacturers or household names. 

The Palmetto State is the new home of American innovation, and its small businesses are among the proven leaders in embracing change to enable sustained growth.

Annual trade and export figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce put South Carolina’s 2023 export sales at $37.3 billion, defying a national trend where U.S. exports dropped 2.2% over the same timeframe. The automotive industry remained the state’s leading export — South Carolina was once again the nation’s top exporter of tires, and a national leader in the export of completed passenger vehicles. In total, South Carolina exports reached 211 countries in 2023.

The automotive industry has grown over several decades, establishing itself as one of South Carolina’s major economic drivers. 

In 2023 alone, it accounted for $4.3 billion in announced capital investment — the state’s leading industry cluster, including the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) and EV battery sub-sectors. To celebrate and promote this cornerstone industry, the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance is hosting its 13th Annual SC Automotive Summit in Greenville, S.C., Tuesday-Thursday, Feb. 13-15, 2024.

To recognize the innovations and talent supporting South Carolina in “advancing the future, now,” The 2024 Governor’s Economic Summit united state, business and community leaders Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, setting forth South Carolina’s long-term economic development vision. In addition to remarks by Governor Henry McMaster, Secretary of Commerce Harry M.